Congratulating Non Muslims

7/28/2019 Congratulating Non Muslims

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Congratulating Non-Muslims

Assalamu alaikum wr wb.

Tanya : Apakah hukumnya memberi selamat kepada teman non-muslim pada hari

perayaan mereka?

Jawab : Memberi selamat kepada teman non-muslim itu BOLEH, apalagi jika teman

tersebut juga memberikan ucapan selamat kepada kita pada hari raya kita. Kita juga boleh

saling bertukar hadiah.

Tanya : Bolehkah saya ikut perayaan Natal dari keluarga saya yang non-muslim

Jawab : Boleh. There is nothing wrong, as far as Islam is concerned, that you share yourfamilys happiness in Christmas as long as you steer clear of what is prohibited in your

religion (such as a table where alcohol or pork is served) and specifically religious rituals.

Dr. Jamal Badawi, Member of the European Council for Fatwa and Research and the

Fiqh Council of North America, states the following:Participating in the non-religious aspect of Christmas such as family reunion dinner or

visitation is OK. Attempts should be made to avoid situations where alcoholic drinks are

served on the same table. Kindness to parents and family without compromising onesbeliefs is an Islamic duty.

Tanya : Bolehkah saya merayakan natal bersama ibu saya yang non-Muslim?

Jawab : Boleh. You are allowed to participate in the festivities of Christmas or holidayseasons on condition that you abstain from specific religious rituals associated with them,

if any.

Tanya Jawab ini diambil dari www.islamonline.net

Baca selengkapnya :

Congratulating Non-Muslims on Their Festive Occasions

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place inus, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for

His Sake.
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First of all, we stress that Muslims are commanded to deal justly and kindly with their

non-Muslim neighbors or friends. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in exchanging giftswith them. Muslims are allowed to congratulate non-Muslims on their festive days and

this becomes more of an obligation if the non-Muslims offer their greetings on Islamic

festive occasions. Allah Almighty says: (When you are greeted with agreeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or at leastreturn it equally) (An-Nisa 4: 86)

However, Muslims are not to celebrate or participate in the religious festivities of non-Muslims, but they can participate in national celebrations and festivities as citizens of

those lands while observing Islamic manners and controls in all matters.

In response to the question you raised, the European Council for Fatwa and Research

issued the following fatwa:

There can be no doubt as to the importance and the sensitivity of this issue, specially toMuslims residing in the West. The Council has received numerous questions and queriesfrom those who live in these countries and interact with the non-Muslims. Indeed,

between the Muslims and the non-Muslims are strong and integral links stipulated and

deemed necessary by the means and manner of life itself, such as neighborly relations,friendship at work or study. In fact, a Muslim may actually feel indebted toward a non-

Muslim in particular circumstances, such as toward a hardworking and selfless supervisor

or lecturer, a sincere and skillful doctor, and others. A famous Arab said that one isenslaved by others favors.

Thus, what is the position of the Muslim to such people who are non-Muslims, who do

not actually hold any animosity towards Muslims, do not fight them due to their religion,and did not actively seek to expel Muslims from their homes and lands?

The Holy Qur'an stipulates regulations as to how relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim are to be governed and carried out in SuratAl-Mumtahinah, which was

essentially revealed to address the pagan polytheists. Allah Almighty says: (Allahdoes not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those whofought not against you on account of religion and did not driveyou out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal withequity. It is only as regards those who fought against you onaccount of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and

helped to drive you out, that Allah forbids you to befriendthem. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are thewrong-doers.) (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8-9)

Thus the verse stipulates that there is a clear difference between those who fight Muslims

and treat them as enemies, and those who interact and deal with Muslims in peace. We

are commanded to treat the latter well and in a just and beautiful manner, not merely give

them what is duly theirs by right and to take from them what is duly ours. Indeed, the


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command is to treat them beyond that and to deal with them in beautiful and ideal ways.

As for the other group to whom the verse clearly forbids any allegiance or supportoffered in their favor they are those who chose to become enemies of Islam and

Muslims and worked actively to expel them from their homes and lands for no reason

other than that they proclaim that Allah Almighty is their Lord, as did the Quraysh andthe infidels of Makkah to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and

his Companions.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim both reported on the authority of Asma bint Abi Bakr (may

Allah be pleased with her), that she came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be

upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! My mother, who is a mushrik(a polytheist),

has come to visit me and she desires to be close to me and to give me gifts. Shall I greether and treat her well? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: Greet

your mother and treat her well.

This, while the woman was a mushrik, and the Quran clearly states that the People of theScripture (Jews and Christians) are far closer to Islam and Muslims than mushriks.

Indeed, the Quran gives allowance to eat from the food of the People of the Scripture

and to marry them. Allah Almighty says: (...The food of the People of theScripture is lawful to you and your is lawful to them, lawful toyou in marriage are chaste women from the believers andhaste women from those who were given the scripture beforeyour time) (Al-Maidah 5: 5)

Also, if marriage is permissible with them, then it goes without saying that marriage

implicitly and necessarily decrees love and closeness. Allah Almighty states: (And

amongst His signs is this, that He created for you wives fromamong yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and Hehas put between you affection and mercy) (Ar-Rum 30: 21) Indeed,how can a man despise his wife, who is ultimately his partner in life, his spouse, the

mother of his children? Almighty Allah says: (...they are body cover for youand you are the same for them) (Al-Baqarah 2: 187)

Moreover, an important consequence and result of marriage is the coming together of two

families to form blood bonds and relationships, a natural human form of relating to one

another. Allah says: (And it is He Who has created man from water,and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred bymarriage) (Al-Furqan 25: 54)

Also, there are the feelings and affections of maternity, and the clearly stipulated and

emphasized rights of a mother upon her children in Islam. One asks in this context: is it

an acceptable act according to these stipulations that one does not greet or congratulatehis or her non-Muslim mother on a day of festivity that she celebrates? What about

relatives from the mothers side, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins? All


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those have rights upon a Muslim clearly stated in the Holy Qur'an, where Allah states:

(But kindred by blood are nearer to one another regarding toinheritance in the decree ordained by Allah) (Al-Anfal 8: 76), andalso: (Verily, Allah enjoins justice and perfect mannerisms andgiving to kith and kin) (An-Nahl 16: 91)

Thus, if maternity and blood relation rights are obligatory upon a Muslim, in a way thatexemplifies the beautiful manners of Islam and Muslims, it is also obligatory upon a

Muslim to pay the due rights that work towards showing Muslims as people of beautiful

character. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised Abu Dharr (may Allah

be pleased with him) saying: Be aware of Allah wherever you are, and follow up a

sin that you have committed with a good deed, so that sin may be erased, and treat

people with beautiful manners. (Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darmi, and Al-

Hakim) As is evident, the emphasis is upon and treat people with beautiful mannersnot treat Muslims.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also strongly advised us to deal with non-Muslims in a mild and gentle manner, not using stern and terrorizing methods. It was

reported that when a group of Jews approached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon

him) and greeted him with twisted pronunciation, and thus uttered Assamàlaykum, O

Muhammad! (meaning death and destruction come upon you) instead of as-salamuàlaykum, À'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) heard them and responded by

saying, assamu àlaykum also and the curse and wrath of Allah! The Prophet (peace

and blessings be upon him) rebuked À'ishah for what she had said. She told him, Didyou not hear what they said? He said, I did, and I responded by saying, And upon

you, (i.e., that death will come upon you as it will come upon me.) He went on to say,

O À'ishah! Allah loves gentleness in all matters. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and

Muslim)

Indeed the permissibility of congratulating non-Muslims on their festive days becomesmore of an obligation if they offer their greetings on Islamic festive occasions, as we are

commanded to return good treatment with similar treatment, and to return the greeting

with a better one or at least with the same greeting. Allah Almighty says: When you aregreeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or at least return

it equally (An-Nisa' 4: 86)

A Muslim must never be less charitable or pleasant or indeed of lesser manners than anyother, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated in the hadith: The most

perfect believers in terms of their iman are those who possess the most beautifulmanners. (Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darmi, and Abu Dawud), and he(peace and blessings be upon him) also stated: Verily I have been but sent to perfect

the most noble of manners. (Reported by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari inAl-Adab Al-Mufrad

and Al-Bazzar inKashfulAstar)

The significance of this increases dramatically if we are interested in inviting them to

Islam and making them like Muslims, which is an obligation upon us all, as this cannot


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be achieved by treating them roughly, sternly and violently, but rather by beautiful

manners and sublime ethics. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with

the polytheists of Quraysh in the most beautiful of ways and manners throughout his lifein Makkah despite their animosity, persecution, oppression and extreme insult of him

(peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions. This was epitomized by the fact

that due to the incredible trust they had in him, they deposited their wealth andpossessions with him, in fear that they may be lost or stolen. When the Prophet fled

Makkah to Madinah, he left behind Àli (may Allah be pleased with him), whom he

commanded to return the deposits and trusts that were with him (peace and blessings beupon him).

Thus, there is nothing to prevent a Muslim or an Islamic center from congratulating non-

Muslims, either verbally or by sending a card that contains no symbols or icons ofreligious implications that may contradict Islamic faith and principles, such as a cross, for

the concept of the crucifixion is totally outlawed and denied by Islam. Allah states in the

Holy Qur'an: (...but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the

resemblance of Jesus was put over another man) (An-Nisa' 4: 156)

Indeed, one finds in the customary words of congratulations nothing that carries any

explicit or implicit recognition of any aspects of their faith or belief, nor any condoningthereof.

There is also no objection to accepting gifts and presents from them, and to return theirgifts in kind, on condition that these gifts are not unlawful in themselves, such as being

alcohol or pork. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the gift of the

King of Egypt and several others (See: At-Tahawi's SharhMushkil Al-Athar).

We also wish to mention that some jurists, such as Ibn Taymiyah and his student thegreat scholar Ibn-ul-Qayyim, adopted stringent measures and restricted the permissibility

of this issue and the participation of Muslims in the celebrations of non-Muslims. Weadopt this same stance, advising Muslims not to celebrate the festivities of non-Muslims,

whethermushriks or People of the Scripture, as we find some ignorant Muslims

celebrating Christmas as they would normally celebrate Èid Al-Fitr and Al-Adha, andmaybe even more so. This is unlawful, as we Muslims have our unique festivities. But we

see no objection to congratulating others on their festivities if there is some relationship

or fellowship link that deems positive social interaction and beautiful exchange a mustaccording to our sublime and noble Islamic Shariàh.

As for patriotic or national celebrations and festivities, such as Independence Day, UnionDay, Mothers Day, Childhood Day and the such, there is no objection whatsoever to aMuslim congratulating others in those regards, and indeed to participate therein as a

citizen of those lands, while observing Islamic manners and controls in all matters.

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: http://www.ecfr.org


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Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546666

As-Salam `alaykum. I am new Muslim and I am living with my Christian family in a

non-Muslim society. My family is celebrating Christmas and I want to ask if it is wrongfor me to attend their celebration.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His

Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, andwe earnestly implore Allah to increase your faith and guide you to the straight path.

There is nothing wrong, as far as Islam is concerned, that you share your familys

happiness in Christmas as long as you steer clear of what is prohibited in your religion(such as a table where alcohol or pork is served) and specifically religious rituals.

Responding to the question, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Member of the European Council for

Fatwa and Research and the Fiqh Council of North America, states the following:

Participating in the non-religious aspect of Christmas such as family reunion dinner or

visitation is OK. Attempts should be made to avoid situations where alcoholic drinks areserved on the same table. Kindness to parents and family without compromising ones

beliefs is an Islamic duty.

During socialization and whenever appropriate, one may share ones thoughts [on

religion] with them, preferably in answer to their questions or comments without being

too argumentative.

Moreover, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic

Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, adds:

You are allowed to partake of their feasts and celebrations so long as you stay away from

their specifically religious rituals, and so long as you are clear in your mind that

Christmas has nothing to do with the original teaching of Jesus (peace and blessings beupon him).

While remaining steadfast to your beliefs about Jesus, you are allowed to join them in
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their feasts in order to reciprocate kindness with kindness. By doing so, you may even be

helping them remove their misconceptions about Islam being a fanatical religion. So go

ahead and participate in their feasts, and let them know the true image of Islam.

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cid=1119503547740&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I became Muslim 3 years agoAl-hamdu lillah. I am

married now and have a one-year-old baby girl. My parents are Catholics. My question isthat Xmas (Christmas) is around the corner now. I really need your advice about visiting

my parents for Xmas. My parents have been good so far about me being Muslim. It was

hard at the beginning. Can you please get back to me in this regard?

Wa alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon HisMessenger.

Dear sister in Islam, we are greatly impressed by your question, for its related to

the affairs of the new Muslims. We seize the chance to earnestly implore Allah fromthe depths of our hearts to lead all perplexed men and women to the light of Islam,

the true religion of Allah. We welcome all our new Muslim brothers and sisters to thefold of Islam.

Islam is all for treating our parents, relatives, and friends compassionately. As aMuslimah, it is your duty to be most gentle and kind to your parents. You are allowedto participate in the festivities of Christmas or holiday seasons on the condition that

you abstain from specific religious rituals associated with them, if any.

In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer andIslamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto,Ontario, Canada, states:

I commend you for your zeal to practice your religion while keeping good relationswith your parents. Islam is all about keeping good relations and being kind and

helpful to your parents. The fact that they are not Muslims should not prevent you orinhibit your visiting them and staying with them and being charitable and kind

towards them. Allah says in the Quran,(And We have recommended to man hisparents; his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaningwas in two years. Thank Me and your two parents. To Me is the return. But ifthey try to force you to associate with Me that of which you have noknowledge, then obey them not. Keep their company with kindness in thisworld, and follow the path of him who turns to Me. Then to Me will be yourreturn, and I shall tell you what you did)(Luqman 31: 14-15).

Based on this, you ought to be kind to your parents, regardless of your religious
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differences with them. While doing so, however, you must never compromise theprinciples of your own religion.

Now coming to the issue of Christmas, you are allowed to visit your parents,

exchange gifts and partake in their feasts, as long as you stay away from theirspecific religious observances. For as it should be obvious to you that as Muslims we

do not believe in the specific Christian dogmas of the divinity of Jesus or the conceptof Original Sin. However, this does not mean that you cannot wish them happinesson such occasions; you are certainly allowed to do so, provided you do not

compromise your specific beliefs in this matter, and provided you are clear in your

own mind about the issue that you are simply wishing them happiness andreciprocating kindness with kindness. Islam teaches us that we must, at all times,

reciprocate kindness with kindness and treat all people with fairness andcompassion; we are allowed to harbor enmity only towards those who are hostile and

aggressive towards us.

Before concluding, let me also point out an important fact: Islam spread, insofar as ithas spread throughout the five continents, not through the sword, but primarily

because of the tolerance, fairness, mercy, and compassion manifested by those who

claimed to be Muslims. After all, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be uponhim) as has been stated clearly in the Quran, was sent by Allah(as a mercy for theworlds)(Al-Anbiya 21: 107). So I advise you to remain steadfast in your practice ofIslam, while being tolerant and compassionate towards your parents, kith and kin,neighbors, Muslims, fellow human beings as well as fellow creatures of Allah.

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May I Celebrate Christmas With My Christian Mother?

Question

Dear brothers and sisters, as-salamu `alaykum. I am currently reverting to Islam. My

mother is Catholic, my father Muslim, but does not practice. I have always celebrated

Christmas even though I've never been Christian. I've read some advice that warnsMuslims not to partake in other holidays, but if I don't, my mother will be very hurt. I am

torn. Is it wrong to celebrate the birth of Jesus? We believe in him too, and exchanging

gifts for the benefit of my mother and Christian friends does not mean that I adhere to a

belief in the Trinity. Please respond; your advice would be greatly appreciated. JazakumAllah khayran.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, we are greatly impressed by your question, for its related to the


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affairs of the new Muslims. We seize the chance to earnestly implore Allah from the

depths of our hearts to lead all perplexed men and women to the light of Islam, the true

religion of Allah. We welcome all our new Muslim brothers and sisters to the fold ofIslam.

Islam encourages the Muslim to have kind and compassionate relationship with hisparents and all his relatives whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. As a Muslim,

you are encouraged to show all forms of kindness and mercy towards your non-Muslim mother. Let her see the true teachings of Islam as practiced by you and be a

good ambassador of your religion.

Responding to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar

at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Islam is all for treating our parents, relatives and friends compassionately. As a

Muslimah, it is your duty to be most gentle and kind to them, especially your parents.Allah says, (Keep their company with kindness in this world, and follow the path of

him who turns to Me. Then unto Me will you return, and I shall tell you what you

did.) (Luqman 31: 15)

Keeping good company of ones parents includes accepting their invitations, eating with

them all foods that are permissible for us to consume, which excludes pork, intoxicants,

and that which has been immolated to idols.

You are allowed to participate in the festivities of Christmas or holiday seasons on

condition that you abstain from specific religious rituals associated with them, if any. As

Muslims we revere Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) as one of the mightymessengers of Allah; we would have certainly celebrated the same, if only it had been a

tradition established by Jesus and his authentic disciples. We certainly know that was notthe case. It is all too well known that celebration of Christmas was introduced into

Christianity in the manner of the pagan cultic rituals prevailing in the lands that the

Christians conquered and as such, it is not something to be cherished as an authentic

Christian festival.

Muslims refuse to deify not only Prophet Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) but

anyone else for that matter including Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be uponhim). We believe in all prophets, and consider them all as preaching the same essential

message: Do not worship any other gods but Allah.

It would certainly be a good idea for you to broach this topic with your parents in one of

their gentler moments.

Lastly, continue to pray to Allah to open the hearts of your parents to the truth, for He

alone guides (people) to Truth. Ameen.


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Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.islam.ca

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Visiting the Graves of non-Muslims: Permissible

Question

As-Salmau `alaykum. Could you please clarify the Islamic stance on visiting the graves

of non-Muslims?

Wa `Alaykumu As-Salamu wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His

Messenger.

Indeed, visiting the graves of non-Muslims is permitted for reflection. It is reported that

the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Allah if he could seek Hisforgiveness for his mother. He was not allowed to do so, but he was permitted to visit her

grave.

Muslims should respect the graves of non-Muslims just as they do of their own brothersand sisters. The Islamic point of view does not differentiate between the grave of a

Muslim or a non-Muslim. Graves should be treated in the light of the Quranic verse:"Surely we have honored the children of Adam" (Al-'Israa': 70) The application of

this verse is so general to include Muslims and non-Muslims.

In this context, we recall the incident that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

stayed behind, after the Battle of Badr, to supervise the burial of all the unbelievers who

had been killed in battle.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him,Amen.

Congratulating Non Muslims

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